Time to get cozy with good books at Beaufort County libraries
Once the hectic holiday season is over, nothing sounds more appealing than some quiet evenings at home to wait out the cold winter nights. Even though the Lowcountry's winters are mild, the chill in the air lends itself well to burrowing into a good book. Let the Beaufort County library supply you with some ideas.
The long hours of dark in the winter seem to call for ambitious reading goals. Maybe this is the year you tackle some award-winning novels, such as the Man Booker Prize winners "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies," by Hilary Mantel. The first two books of a trilogy, they portray the intense drama of Henry VIII's court through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, Henry's chief minister. While this period in British history is hugely popular, Mantel's novels are considered more nuanced, going beyond the usual romantic angst of Henry's six wives and delving into the complex political climate of the court. At more than 400 pages each, these novels are a serious time commitment, but what better time to dive in? You'll also be ready for the BBC adaptation of both books, scheduled to air on PBS this year.
If dark nights inspire you to read dark books, you may like "Into the Darkest Corner," by Elizabeth Haynes. When Catherine meets Lee, she believes they're the perfect couple. But when his romantic attention turns into fevered jealousy and controlling behavior, she begins to grow desperate and plans an escape. Four years later, Lee is in jail and Catherine is trying to build a new life. But strange things begin to happen in her apartment, and she starts to doubt whether she's as safe as she'd thought. For a bleak story with an even bleaker setting, try Henning Mankell's "Faceless Killers," the first in his Wallander series. Set in the frozen Swedish countryside, police inspector Kurt Wallander investigates a horrible murder at a remote farmhouse. Before she dies, a woman utters the word "foreign," a clue that threatens to inflame the smoldering anti-immigrant sentiments in the community.
There's something appealing about reading books set in winter while bundled up at home. "In the Bleak Midwinter," by Julia Spencer-Fleming takes place in snowy upstate New York. The first in a series, it centers around a female Episcopal priest who finds a newborn left outside the church. When teamed up with the town's police chief, she uncovers secrets, romance and murder. For a different winter-themed read, try "Midwinterblood," by Marcus Sedgwick. The winner of the Printz Award in 2014, this collection of short stories revolves around a handful of characters whose stories are repeated and echoed throughout time. Each version of their story somehow hearkens back to a sacrifice made in the Scandinavian winter centuries before.
Since you're spending more time at home, why not learn about that space? Bill Bryson's "At Home: A Short History of Private Life" is an exhaustive history of domestic spaces. He explores each chapter with the personal story of his Victorian parsonage, and the history of the world as viewed through the lens of the home. The chapter on the kitchen explores the history of nutrition, cooking and the spice trade; the bathroom recounts the history of hygiene; and the bedroom examines the history of sleep, sex and death. Whatever happens in the world, he demonstrates, ultimately is reflected in our private lives.
Winter is the perfect time to bundle up with a warm drink and lose yourself in a book. The reference librarians at Beaufort County Library are always ready with more suggestions for cozy winter reads. Pick up a stack, find a cozy chair and enjoy the pleasures of winter reading.
Ann Cox is reference librarian at the Beaufort library.
This story was originally published January 3, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Time to get cozy with good books at Beaufort County libraries."